Tips and Tricks

1. If you want to save time, don't make the appetizer and dessert.

Most of these meals (not all) can be made in 30 minutes if you leave off the appetizer and dessert. Save those for the times when you are entertaining guests.

2. Make the dessert ahead of time.

If you really want dessert but are usually pressed for time, make dessert the night before.

3. Buy vegetables already sliced.

Salad in a bag or presliced mushrooms can save a lot of prep time. Pre-shredded cheese falls in this category as well.

4. Start with a well-stocked pantry.

This can make a world of difference when you come home tired and want to throw something together quickly.

This is some of what I keep on hand:

5. Don't Give Up!

If at first, you don't succeed, try again! This old adage holds true in cooking as well. Cooking takes practice. If it doesn't look good the first time, but tastes ok, you've already won the first battle. Next time, it will be better. My recipes rarely look great the first time I make them.

6. Taste everything before you serve it.

Sometimes it looks great, but doesn't taste so good. Taste it before you serve it to avoid embarrassment. All good cooks taste as they go. Trust your instincts. If it doesn't taste good to you, it won't to your guests, either. If it can be fixed, re-season, cook it longer, whatever it needs. If it can't be fixed, pitch it and try again.

7. Use stoneware, if you have it.

I love my stoneware!! I can't mention the name of the particular brand I like, because I sell it and I would violate my sales agreement if I mentioned their name on this site (email me if you would like to know more.) Stoneware, once it is properly seasoned, cooks more evenly and is less likely to burn or stick. It makes the best cookies - they stay soft and don't turn hard!! Lasagna and brownies don't get hard on the edges. At a minimum I recommend a baking sheet, a pizza stone and one rectangular or square piece. If you can only get one piece, go for the pizza stone, you can use it as a baking sheet or a pizza stone.

8. Don't fry your bacon.

I just learned this recently and it is so good!! Never, ever fry your bacon. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, put your bacon on a baking sheet and bake until done. This is how the restaurants do it in large amounts. Your bacon will stay flat and be perfectly crisp. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it!